Our hobby was a hotrod hobby before it became a resto hobby. Hotrod has always meant build what you can the best that you can and/or want to, and drive it for that is the end goal usually. Sure it was easier back when bone yards were full of parts and cars. Yes everything was cheaper, but so was wages and I lived thru interest rates of 20% too.
One thing that is so great about the old classic car hobby, is that people that are not loaded with $$, find a way to learn and develop skills, and these skills can flow down to sons/daughters that have an interest. Developing skills is a never ending process for those that want to always get better. But we have to start somewhere!